PREWRITE: Kentucky lands 2027, 3-star OT, Reed Gerken

Reed offensive-lineman-reed-gerken-in-boost-to-no-23-recruiting-class/">Gerken announced his commitment to Kentucky on Monday, according to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals, giving head coach Will Stein and his staff their fourth commitment in just two days.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive lineman from Perrysburg, Ohio, chose Kentucky over Illinois, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin. According to the 247Sports Composite, Gerken is ranked No. 611 nationally, No. 53 among offensive tackles, and No. 23 overall in Ohio.

Kentucky prioritized Gerken throughout the recruiting process. Offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan visited his school during the week of May 4, and Gerken still has an official visit scheduled for June 19.

The commitment comes after a huge Sunday on the recruiting trail. Kentucky landed 3-star wide receiver Austin Coles, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound prospect from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who chose the Wildcats over Florida, Oregon, and Miami. The Wildcats also added 3-star linebacker Drew Williams from Canton, Georgia, and secured a commitment from in-state 4-star defensive lineman Malachi Brown of Corbin.

247Sports analyst Gabe Brooks describes Gerken as a “strength-oriented mauler” who thrives as a drive blocker and could eventually develop into a tone-setting interior lineman at the college level.

With four commitments in two days, Kentucky’s 2027 class continues to gain momentum and strengthen its position among the nation’s rising recruiting classes.

Quarterback
Jake Nawrot (6-4, 190) — Arlington Heights (IL) Hersey — 4-star

Running Back
Kelsey Gerald (5-11, 191) — Lantana (FL) Santaluces — 3-star
Mason Ball (6-0, 190) — Jacksonville (AR) — 3-star

Wide Receiver
Iveon Lewis (6-2, 180) — Richmond (VA) Huguenot — 4-star
Austin Coles (6-4, 190) — Fort Lauderdale (FL) — 3-star

Tight End
Tank Proctor (6-5, 220) — Plantation (FL) American Heritage — 3-star
Conrad Hart (6-5, 235) — Lexington (KY) Christian Academy — 3-star

Offensive Line
Ian Walker (6-5, 305) — Pennington (NJ) The Pennington School — 3-star
Reed Gerken (6-5, 305) — Perrysburg (OH) — 3-star
Brady Hull (6-1, 285) — Somerset (KY) Pulaski County — 3-star
Matthias Burrell (6-4, 320) — Gahanna (OH) Lincoln — 3-star

Defensive Line / EDGE
Malachi Brown (6-4, 265) — Corbin (KY) — 4-star
Elijah Brown (6-1, 290) — Prattville (AL) — 4-star
Antwoine Higgins Jr. (6-2, 230) — Cincinnati (OH) Princeton — 3-star
Griff Galloway (6-3, 240) — Charlotte (NC) Providence Day — 3-star

Linebacker
Ty Ashley (6-2, 200) — Owensboro (KY) — 3-star
Drew Williams (6-1, 205) — Canton (GA) Sequoyah — 3-star

Defensive Back
Marquis Bryant (5-11, 185) — Rolesville (NC) — 4-star
Tristin Hughes (6-1, 190) — Rocky River (OH) — 4-star
Larron Westmoreland (6-5, 180) — Corbin (KY) — 3-star
Miles Brown (6-0, 180) — Martin (TN) Westview — 3-star
Miguel Wilson (5-10, 170) — Mobile (AL) Vigor — 3-star